Ukelele



A. G. COX

' UKELELE Nov. 9, 1937.

Filed Feb. 15, 1937 R O T N E V m BY Q ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to an improved structure for a ukelele and in particular relates to a ukelele the main body of which is constructed from cocoanut shells.

Heretofore ukeleles have been made of mahogany, ohia, monkey-pod or redwood and, in spite of the exhaustive efforts made, fine tonal qualities have not been obtained.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to produce a ukelele having a fine tone, and I accomplish this by constructing a substantial portion of the main body of the ukelele from cocoanut shells. As the cocoanut shells are exceedingly hard with good resonant quality, the tone of a ukelele constructed in part therefrom is excellent.

Another object of my invention is to polish the exterior surface of the cocoanut shells used in the ukelele whereby the same will be very attractive enhancing the Value of the instrument.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive instrument and. yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan of my improved ukelele.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the instrument consists of a pair of half cocoanut shells I disposed in side by side relation and adjacent portions of which are cut away to afford an edge to edge contact, as at 2, and to form an enclosed sound box or chamber 3 of substantially semicircular form in cross section. At the line of engagement 2, the shells are secured together on the exterior by a wooden connecting bead 4 held in place by glue, and small screws 4a if desired. Interiorly of the shells, a felt strip 5 is glued over the line of engagement 2. The shells l are smoothed inside and are highly polished on the exterior.

A mahogany top plate or sounding board 6, cut in plan to conform to the top edge curvature of the cocoanut shells, is mounted on and above the shells by means of a wooden bead 1 secured to the exterior of the shells and projecting approximately inch above the upper edge thereof. The top plate is secured only to the bead and is spaced, as at S, from the upper edge of the shells the distance the bead projects above said edge. The bead l is connected to the shells and top plate by glue, small screws 8 being used to further secure the plate 6 to the bead.

A neck 9, of usual construction and having frets l0 and keys I l, is secured to one of the shells adjacent the upper edge and at the end opposite the line of engagement 2 by means of screws l2 which first pass through a mahogany reinforcing block I3, and then project through holes in the shell and into the neck 9. The plate is cut with the usual sound opening 0 and is likewise provided with the usual bridge I4 to receive the strings l5. Mahogany strips I6 are glued to the inner face of plate 6 to strengthen the same and prevent splitting and the like.

A ukelele constructed as above described not only has a fine tone but is very attractive in appearance. The success in producing a ukelele having a fine tone resides particularly in the use of the exceedingly hard shells and the provision of a space S between the hard shell and mahogany top plate, the connection being made with a wooden bead 1. In practice, the ukelele may be made of one, two (as shown), or three shells as desired, the desired tone being obtained as long as the space S is left between the top plate and shells.

By providing space S and securing the top plate or sounding board to the shells by means of wooden bead 1 at a point outwardly of the shells, the vibratory characteristics of the sound board in the marginal portions thereof above the upper edges of the shells l are not damped about said portions as would occur if said sounding board were secured directly against the relatively hard shells.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such an instrument as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the instrument, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a ukelele, a main open top body comprising a pair of half cocoanut shells a portion of each of which is cut away, the shells abutting and. secured together along the lines of cut and forming a sound chamber, a top plate; and means mounting the top plate on the body but spaced some distance from the upper edge of the body.

2. In a ukelele, a main open top body comprising a plurality of half cocoanut shells, a portion of each of which is cut away, the shells abutting and secured together along the lines of cut and forming a sound chamber, a top plate and. means mounting the top plate on the shells and. over the sound chamber.

' ANTHONY G. COX. 

